Amritsar [Images] recorded its coldest day ever on Thursday as the minimum temperature plunged to -2.6� Celsius, eight degrees below normal.

The cold wave sweeping most parts of north India intensified and Ambala recorded a low of 3.6� C, down three degrees, while Karnal was also colder by three degrees at 4.1� C, according to the meteorological department in Chandigarh.

Ludhiana and Patiala recorded minimums at 4.6� C and 4.7� C, respectively.

There was little respite for Kashmiris.

In Srinagar [Images], residents groaned under a sub-zero temperature of -3.8� C, down two degrees.

Jammu also had a cold night at 5.3� C, down three.

In Himachal Pradesh, Shimla, Sundernagar and Bhuntar recorded 0.2� C, 0.6� C and 0.6� C, respectively.